“Prince Gong’s Mansion?!” Qin Wan exclaimed in surprise. “Why are we coming here?”

Yan Chi’s lips curved slightly as he reached out to adjust her collar. “I just returned and need to pay my respects to the Princess Consort.”

Qin Wan blinked. “If you’re here to pay respects to the Princess Consort, why bring me along?”

The Princess Consort referred to Prince Gong’s wife, who was Yan Chi’s aunt. While it was natural for him to pay his respects, how could someone of Qin Wan’s status meet the Princess Consort? Even entering Prince Gong’s mansion would be rather inappropriate.

Seeing Qin Wan’s reluctance, Yan Chi’s smile deepened. “If you don’t come with me, what will those people behind us think?”

Yan Chi gestured with his chin toward the people following them. Only then did Qin Wan remember why she had gotten into Yan Chi’s carriage. She was startled, “Prince Cheng’s people are still following?”

Yan Chi nodded. “What else did you expect?” As he spoke, the carriage came to a stop.

Yan Chi lifted the carriage curtain and said “Follow me” before stepping down.

Left with no choice in the carriage, Qin Wan could only follow. She saw that Bai Feng, their driver, had already gone ahead to knock on the door.

Prince Gong’s mansion was also in eastern Lin’an, but being close to the Imperial City meant it was quite far from the Zhongyong Marquis mansion. After alighting from the carriage, Qin Wan looked up to see that this residence was even more spacious and grand than the Zhongyong Marquis mansion. Just the two vermillion-painted main doors appeared far more magnificent and imposing. However, as Qin Wan stood there studying them carefully for a moment, she felt something wasn’t quite right about the mansion’s entrance.

After Bai Feng knocked on the door several times, before long, the mansion gates opened from within. A young servant boy stood inside, and upon seeing Yan Chi, his brows furrowed slightly. “Who are you? Who are you looking for?”

Yan Chi wasn’t angry at the young servant’s failure to recognize him, simply saying quietly, “What is your Young Master doing?”

The servant boy tilted his head and thought for a moment. “The Young Master returned just before dawn and is still sleeping.”

Seeing how truly unobservant the servant boy was, Bai Feng spoke up, “This is His Highness the Crown Prince of Prince Rui, here to pay respects to the Princess Consort. Why aren’t you inviting the Crown Prince inside?”

The servant boy was startled. “The Crown Prince of Prince Rui?”

Seeing Yan Chi standing there with a faint smile, the boy finally realized and hurriedly stepped back to kneel and bow. “Greetings, Your Highness.”

Yan Chi smiled faintly and waved his hand. “Rise.”

As he spoke, he had already stepped inside. The servant boy stared blankly as Yan Chi walked past him before finally coming to his senses and getting up to close the mansion gates. Following behind Yan Chi, this scene made Qin Wan increasingly puzzled.

This was Prince Gong’s mansion, a prince’s residence! At the very least, such a princely mansion should have several doorkeepers, not just a single servant boy. And such a slow-witted, unobservant boy at that. The boy had opened the door without haste, showing surprise at visitors, as if Prince Gong’s mansion rarely received guests.

Thinking this, Qin Wan couldn’t help but recall her previous understanding of the imperial family.

Before her father entered the capital, she had always followed him elsewhere, tens of thousands of li away from Lin’an. The imperial family had been even more distant then. At that time, she knew nothing about the royal family. Apart from learning about Prince Yu while in Yuzhou, among the other princes, she had only heard more frequently of Prince Rui’s title. Prince Rui led the Shuoxi Army guarding the northwest, and both local commoners and officials viewed him as their protector, naturally mentioning him more often in daily conversation. As for other princes, Qin Wan knew very little.

Later, after arriving in the capital, she gained some understanding of the royal family. After being designated as Prince Yong’s consort, Qin Wan entered the palace several times. However, in Qin Wan’s memory, this Prince Gong’s mansion seemed to rarely appear in what she heard. It had less prominence than other powerful ducal mansions and even fell short of the Zhongyong Marquis mansion’s reputation in the capital. Upon further reflection, Qin Wan only remembered that Prince Gong seemed to have passed away.

Thinking thus, under Yan Chi’s guidance, the three of them walked along the mansion’s winding corridors toward its inner quarters. The further they went, the more Qin Wan’s brows furrowed.

The mansion’s layout was spacious, and the original scenery must have been quite fine. But now, Qin Wan only saw withered flowers and rampant weeds in the flower beds beside the corridors, appearing untended for a long time. Though they had walked deep into the mansion, they hadn’t seen any guards or servants. The entire residence appeared desolate and quiet, eerily so.

Qin Wan finally understood why something had felt wrong when she stood at the entrance. Although Prince Gong’s mansion’s entrance beam carried an air of nobility, the dust upon it was extremely thick, giving it a hazy appearance at first glance. Qin Wan hadn’t noticed anything initially, but upon seeing the mansion’s desolate state, she finally realized.

By rights, even if Prince Gong was gone, there should still be the Princess Consort and the heir Yan Li. How could it be so declining?

After passing another courtyard, the previously silent grounds finally held some human sounds. Soon, a figure emerged from a moon gate not far ahead…

Cloud Lu was startled to suddenly see Yan Chi and his group, stopping in their tracks. “Your Highness?!”

After a moment of surprise, Cloud Lu immediately bowed. “Greetings, Your Highness—”

Yan Chi smiled. “Where is your master?”

Cloud Lu quickly replied, “He just woke up.”

Yan Chi nodded. “Lead the way—”

Cloud Lu hurriedly turned to walk back. At a glance, Qin Wan now saw that the surrounding scenery was much brighter. The orchids in the flower beds had been trimmed, and the dwarf pines beside the bluestone path had been tended to. Qin Wan privately marveled as she followed Yan Chi into a courtyard. This seemed to be the main courtyard of the mansion, occupying an extremely large area. Just as they reached the entrance, they heard someone calling from inside, “Cloud Lu, is that Seventh Brother…”

Cloud Lu quickly responded, “Master, it is indeed His Highness.”

As they spoke, the group had entered. Looking up, they saw Yan Li standing lazily at the doorway, wearing a red robe with his black hair completely loose on his shoulders. His eyes were slightly narrowed, his face still showing signs of drowsy indolence, as if he had just crawled out of bed—

“How did you know it was me?”

Yan Chi entered the courtyard with a smile and asked. Yan Li yawned, “Besides Seventh Brother, who else would come…”

As his words fell, Yan Li’s eyes caught the white-robed figure following behind Yan Chi. Though Bai Feng also customarily wore white robes, these two whites were different. Bai Feng’s usual white clothing was crisp and sharp in its fitted style, while Qin Wan was like sunlight on snow reflecting off fine jade, reaching the ultimate in pure, ethereal beauty. Yan Li immediately straightened up. “Ninth Miss?!”

Yan Chi stopped at the doorway and turned around. Qin Wan, somewhat embarrassed, stepped forward and curtsied. “Greetings, Young Master. I apologize for entering your mansion so abruptly—it’s truly improper.”

Hearing this, Yan Li immediately broke into a hearty laugh, waving his hand. “What impropriety? Ninth Miss is being too polite!” As he spoke, he stepped out over the threshold. “Ninth Miss’s attire today is truly… quite handsome!”

Qin Wan straightened up with some helplessness, but Yan Li urgently asked, “What’s going on? Why did Seventh Brother bring you here? And why are you dressed like this? Could it be… could it be you snuck out to have fun and Seventh Brother caught you?”

Yan Chi said irritably, “You only think about having fun.”

Qin Wan hurriedly explained, “I was helping Third Brother with something today, and due to various inconveniences, I had to dress as a man. I ran into some trouble earlier, and fortunately, His Highness came to my rescue…”

Yan Li’s eyes moved slightly, showing some curiosity. “Seventh Brother was supposed to enter the palace this morning… how did he happen to run into you?”

“It wasn’t by chance.” Yan Chi then briefly explained what Qin Wan had done and how Prince Cheng had arrived at the funeral home. After listening, Yan Li’s eyes widened, and after a long while, he shook his head. “This matter isn’t simple.”

As he spoke, he was looking at Qin Wan, clearly hinting at the struggle between the Crown Prince and Prince Cheng.

Qin Wan’s lips curved slightly. “Don’t worry, Your Highness. I understand.”

Yan Li nodded and smiled again. “But there’s nothing to be done about it—you are a lady of the Qin family.”

Looking at the two of them, Yan Li continued, “Have you both had lunch? I just woke up—why don’t we go to the Zui Xiang Restaurant? The mansion currently can’t prepare the dishes we like…”

Yan Chi shook his head. “Since I’m here, I naturally must pay my respects to the Princess Consort.”

Yan Li stretched lazily and sighed when he heard this. “I went to see Mother earlier when I returned, but she was reciting sutras. I don’t know if she’s finished yet. Seventh Brother, you needn’t stand on such ceremony…”

Yan Chi’s eyes showed helplessness as he directly ordered, “Lead the way.”

Left with no choice, Yan Li could only shrug and say, “All right, wait for me a moment. If I see Mother looking like this, she’ll scold me again.” As his words fell, he had already darted back inside.

Yan Chi shook his head, standing in the outer room. Qin Wan stepped forward and said softly, “You’re going to see the Princess Consort—perhaps I shouldn’t go?”

Yan Chi’s lips curved slightly. “The Princess Consort is very kind. It won’t be a problem.”

Qin Wan started to speak but stopped. Given her personality, she had a sense of propriety in all matters. She wasn’t particularly close with Yan Li, let alone the Princess Consort of Prince Gong. Though she had come with Yan Chi now out of necessity to avoid Prince Cheng’s spies, it still felt too discourteous.

“Don’t worry, it truly won’t be a problem.”

Yan Chi spoke again, and Qin Wan finally nodded. Though she was generally amiable, truly letting someone into her heart—whether as a friend or loved one—always took time. Even with Yue Ning, they hadn’t immediately become close friends. Before letting someone into her heart, she had her sense of propriety and boundaries, neither liking others to get too close nor wanting to trouble them. Coming to Prince Gong’s mansion today was already breaking her habits—

“The Princess Consort took great care of me in my childhood. Whenever I return to the capital, I must come to pay my respects.”

Yan Chi explained, and Qin Wan’s heart settled. Not for any other reason, but simply because she trusted Yan Chi.

Soon after, Yan Li emerged from the room. His black hair that had been loose on his shoulders was now half-bound, and he wore an outer robe over his red garment. Gone was his previous languid appearance—he looked much more spirited and sharp. “Alright, let’s go see what Mother is doing. If she’s gone into the small Buddha hall again, we needn’t bother her.”

As he spoke, Yan Li led Yan Chi out of the courtyard heading east. Following Yan Chi, Qin Wan observed the mansion again.

The further east they went, the more lush the scenery became. Pots of dwarf pines alongside winter-green trees lined the corridor heading east, giving an elegant and solemn impression. Soon, Qin Wan saw four servants tending to a nearby flower bed. Seeing Yan Li approach, they quickly knelt in greeting. Yan Li waved his hand and turned to Qin Wan, saying, “Ninth Miss, please excuse us. The mansion rarely receives visitors, and Mother has a nature that dislikes bustle and worldly affairs, so many areas of the mansion have fallen into neglect.”

For some reason, when Yan Li spoke these words, Qin Wan felt he had become somewhat more serious and proper. This should have been normal, but this seriousness made Qin Wan feel melancholy as if Yan Li should forever remain as spirited as when they first met. Fortunately, before his words had fully fallen, Yan Li smiled again, his phoenix eyes narrowing, the long corners of his eyes rising with fox-like cunning. “But no matter how neglected it is, it’s still better than Seventh Brother’s place—Ninth Miss will understand when you visit—”

Qin Wan blinked and turned to look at Yan Chi, who continued walking without comment.

Qin Wan smiled slightly and lowered her gaze. She had come to Prince Gong’s mansion out of necessity; naturally, she wouldn’t be visiting Prince Rui’s mansion.

As they spoke, a courtyard appeared before Qin Wan’s eyes. Here, she saw more servants, all wearing neat, elegant-colored clothing. Though they were all working, there wasn’t the slightest sound. When Yan Chi’s group appeared, they immediately bowed respectfully. Looking at these well-trained servants, Qin Wan suddenly felt that all the dust and neglect she had seen earlier meant nothing. Even if all the flowers and trees in this mansion had withered, this was still ultimately a prince’s residence.

“What is Mother doing?” Yan Li asked as he continued walking into the courtyard, only asking when they reached the entrance.

A lead maidservant immediately rose and followed quickly behind them, saying softly, “The Princess Consort is copying sutras in the Buddha hall.”

Yan Li nodded. “Go in and announce that Seventh Brother has come.”

The maidservant nodded and quickly headed toward the eastern wing room of the courtyard.

At a glance, Qin Wan saw that this courtyard was arranged very serenely. Though it was winter, the plants hadn’t all been removed. However, there were no delicate flowers to be seen in the entire courtyard, though many orchids had been planted. Directly opposite was a five-room main house with very large bays, arranged elegantly and meticulously. On the left was another moon gate. Looking through it, Qin Wan saw another small courtyard with just a three-room main building. The Buddha hall the maidservant had mentioned must be there.

The maidservant went in, while Yan Li remained still. “Mother’s place of cultivation doesn’t welcome disturbances. Even I’m not allowed to enter and exit freely.” He looked at Yan Chi. “Mother probably won’t come out. She needs to copy many sutras recently to send to the Fahua Temple outside the city.”

Just as he finished speaking, the maidservant who had gone in emerged from the Buddha hall entrance. Yan Li thought she was coming to tell them the Princess Consort wouldn’t see them, but unexpectedly, another figure emerged after her.

Yan Li clicked his tongue. “When I returned yesterday, Mother didn’t come out to see me. If I hadn’t come by, I wouldn’t have seen her…” His tone turned somewhat sour. “Seventh Brother is truly Mother’s favorite.”

Yan Chi laughed softly and stepped toward the moon gate. After a few steps, he turned back and saw Qin Wan hadn’t moved. He said, “Come along.”

Qin Wan had been wondering if she should continue pretending to be Yan Chi’s subordinate, but given Yan Chi’s clear attitude, it would also be discourteous to see the Princess Consort without a proper greeting. So she could only follow. Yan Li shook his head and went in with them.

At the solemn Buddha hall entrance, Qin Wan looked up and saw a middle-aged woman standing before the blue-robed servants.

When she saw that person’s face, Qin Wan’s steps faltered slightly. She had seen middle-aged women before—Madam Jiang, Madam Lin, First Aunt Madam Hu—all could be considered beautiful, but the one before her eyes was so different.

She wore no ornaments anywhere on her person, her black hair was simply bound up with a wooden hairpin, and she wore only an old frost-colored pleated jacket and skirt covered by a light blue half-worn cape. She stood silently at the Buddha hall entrance, her gaze passing over Qin Wan but carrying no weight. Looking at her, Qin Wan saw her features were especially delicate, but because she paid no attention to maintaining her appearance, many wrinkles had formed under her eyes. Yet this wasn’t what tugged most at Qin Wan’s heart. Looking at her, Qin Wan felt her features were somewhat blurred—her clothes were too pale, her expression too unruffled. She stood gracefully before the Buddha hall, her back straight, her eyes like a painting, but her gaze was distant, like her person—like a wisp of ethereal smoke that might dissipate with a strong wind.

Qin Wan unconsciously slowed her steps, as if only this pace could do justice to her grace.

At the same time, even the imposing Yan Chi slowed his steps, and Yan Li too reined in his usual spirited manner.

“Greetings, Princess Consort.” Yan Chi cupped his hands in greeting. “It’s been over a year since we last met. Have you been well?”

The Princess Consort looked at Yan Chi. Her eyes were naturally light in color and combined with her unruffled gaze, it made people feel her gaze was even more distant. She lifted her hand slightly. “Rise. It’s good that you’ve returned.”

When she spoke, her voice was equally unruffled, not sounding like an elder princess consort speaking, but more like an old friend of Yan Chi’s making small talk. Yan Chi straightened up and looked at the Princess Consort for a moment. “The Princess Consort’s complexion looks much better than last time. Has your health improved?”

The Princess Consort made a sound of agreement. “Buddha is merciful and has blessed me. I’m much better.”

Her tone was extremely faint. After speaking, she also examined Yan Chi. “How is your father?”

Yan Chi nodded. “Father won’t return this year. The west is unstable. His health is good, though he misses you.”

Qin Wan felt that even Yan Chi spoke with some caution, his voice becoming lower. After he finished, the Princess Consort nodded. “That’s good. I miss him too.” Then she looked at Qin Wan behind Yan Chi. “This is—”

Yan Chi turned around. “This is the Qin family’s Ninth Miss, the daughter of the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s younger brother.”

Understanding showed in the Princess Consort’s eyes. Qin Wan hurriedly came forward and curtsied. “Qin Wan pays her respects to the Princess Consort.”

Though she wore men’s clothing, she still curtsied. The Princess Consort didn’t immediately respond, only looking her up and down for a moment before saying softly, “Good, rise.”

She looked around, her expression finally showing some ripple of emotion. “I didn’t know you were coming and haven’t prepared any gifts.”

As she spoke, the Princess Consort looked around, as if thinking what she could give as a gift. However, her wrists and neck were bare—what could she have to give as a gift?

Suddenly, the Princess Consort looked at Qin Wan again. With this look, she raised her hand and gently removed the wooden hairpin from her hair. She extended her hand. “Here, for you. Don’t think poorly of it.”

With the hairpin removed, the Princess Consort’s black hair immediately cascaded down. Just then, a cold wind blew, and the Princess Consort’s hair danced in the wind. In that instant, it seemed as if she might fly away west with the wind.

Qin Wan felt deeply humbled. “Princess Consort, you overwhelm me. I dare not—”

The Princess Consort looked at Qin Wan, her expression unchanged but her tone seeming to grow a degree gentler. “This is the first time Little Seven has brought an outside guest before me. Take it. Who knows if we’ll have the chance to meet again.”

These words made Qin Wan’s heart skip a beat. Yan Chi glanced at the Princess Consort. “Take it.”

Yan Li also said, “Ninth Miss, don’t stand on ceremony. Mother rarely likes people—she must like you to give this to you.”

With both Yan Chi and Yan Li saying this, Qin Wan pressed her lips together and stepped forward, taking the wooden hairpin with both hands. The hairpin still carried some warmth from the Princess Consort’s palm. Taking it in her hands, Qin Wan somehow felt a twinge in her heart. “Thank you, Princess Consort.”

She quickly curtsied again. The Princess Consort nodded slightly, still showing no smile. She looked at Yan Chi again. “When will you leave the capital this time?”

Hearing this, Yan Chi smiled. “I’m afraid I won’t be able to leave this time.”

At these words, the Princess Consort fell silent for a moment. After a while, she seemed to sigh lightly. “Your father likes the West, and you grew up there too. It would be better to return west.”

Yan Chi then said, “If I stay in the capital, I can often come to see the Princess Consort.”

Hearing this, the Princess Consort shook her head. “No need to see me. I have the ancient Buddha and lamp for company—that’s enough. Little Seven, take care of yourself.” She glanced at Yan Li. “Just help me watch over Ali.”

Beside them, Yan Li pursed his lips, looking dissatisfied.

Yan Chi smiled and nodded. “Don’t worry, Princess Consort. He’s grown up now.”

The Princess Consort made no sound, looked at Qin Wan once more, and said faintly, “Alright, you may go now.”

Hearing this, Yan Chi stepped back and made another deep bow. Qin Wan curtsied alongside him. When she straightened and looked up, she saw that Princess Consort had already turned and entered the Buddha hall. Her hair was still floating in the wind, her steps silent, her figure extremely faint. Soon, she disappeared completely behind the door.

Qin Wan gripped the wooden hairpin tightly, only now able to look down at it. As she did, she saw four characters carved on the hairpin: “Never Part Until Death.” Qin Wan was stunned, another wave of bitterness rising in her heart. She wasn’t one to easily feel empathy or pity for just anyone, and although the Princess Consort lived with Buddha and ancient lamps for company, she was at least wealthy and free from worry as a princess consort. But somehow, just hearing Princess Consort’s few words had made Qin Wan feel heartache for her, and this hairpin made that feeling even more poignant.

“Let’s go—” Yan Chi sighed. He stood straight and tall, completely different from his relaxed manner when speaking with the Princess Consort earlier.

Qin Wan followed Yan Chi out. After a few steps, she looked back and saw only dim light through the half-open door. She suddenly felt a chill down her spine. Looking at this small Buddha hall again, she didn’t feel Buddha’s mercy but rather felt the hall was like a cage that had confined Princess Consort’s entire life within it.

Taking a deep breath, Qin Wan quickly followed Yan Chi out through the moon gate.